Ultimate Bacon-Wrapped Air Fryer Pork Chops: Crispy, Juicy & Easy Dinner
Prepare to elevate your weeknight dinner game with the incredibly delicious and surprisingly simple recipe for Bacon-Wrapped Air Fryer Pork Chops. Whether you prefer them perfectly unbreaded for a low-carb option or lightly breaded for an extra crunch, these pork chops emerge from your air fryer with an irresistible crispy exterior and a succulent, juicy interior. This guide will walk you through creating a fantastic meal that’s both quick to prepare and a guaranteed family favorite.
Our obsession with the air fryer started the moment we tried these bacon-wrapped pork chops. It’s not just a trend; it’s a revelation for achieving restaurant-quality crispness and tenderness in record time. This recipe quickly became one of our favorite easy air fryer recipes, delivering phenomenal results whether you’re using a Ninja Foodi, Cosori, or any other air fryer model. Let’s dive into making perfectly cooked pork chops that will impress even the pickiest eaters!
Why Air Fryer Pork Chops are a Game Changer
The air fryer has revolutionized home cooking, especially for meats like pork chops. Its circulating hot air technology ensures food cooks evenly, developing a beautiful golden-brown crust without excessive oil. This method is not only faster than traditional oven baking but also results in significantly less cleanup and a healthier meal overall. When it comes to pork chops, the air fryer guarantees a tender, moist interior every time, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.
You can use virtually any air fryer brand for this recipe. We’ve successfully made these as an easy Cosori air fryer recipe and, of course, in our Ninja Foodi. The primary difference among models is usually basket size, which dictates how many pork chops you can cook at once without overlapping. Remember, proper air circulation is key to achieving that signature air-fried crispness.
Maximizing Flavor with Ninja Foodi Pork Chops
If you’re using a Ninja Foodi, you’re in for a treat. While this versatile appliance often features multiple cooking functions, for this recipe, we’ll primarily utilize its air crisping lid. This lid is designed to circulate hot air efficiently, ensuring your pork chops cook to perfection with a deliciously crisp exterior. We’ve even cooked frozen pork chops in the air fryer before, but for the absolute best bacon-wrapped results, we highly recommend using thawed pork chops to ensure even cooking and optimal crispiness.
The allure of anything wrapped in strips of savory, crispy bacon is undeniable, and pork chops are no exception. While we’ve previously enjoyed smoked bacon-wrapped pork chops, the air fryer delivers a similar incredible taste profile much faster. By using our favorite dry rub for pork chops, we achieve a deeply flavorful coating that complements the bacon beautifully. While the smoky essence from a smoker is unique, the air fryer offers a wonderfully close and convenient alternative that’s perfect for any day of the week.
This original approach involves no breading, making it a fantastic option for those seeking low-carb or keto-friendly meals without sacrificing flavor or texture. The bacon provides all the necessary crispness and richness.
Essential Ingredients for Flavorful Air Fryer Pork Chops
Crafting perfect air fryer pork chops begins with quality ingredients. For a standard air fryer basket, you can typically fit about four pork chops without overcrowding, which is crucial for even cooking. Our preference is for bone-in chops, as the bone can help retain moisture, though boneless varieties work well too and may cook slightly faster. The thickness of your chops will also influence cooking time, with 1-inch to 2-inch thick cuts being ideal for a juicy result.
- Pork Chops: Four bone-in or boneless pork chops, ideally 1 to 2 inches thick. For the quickest cook, consider thin pork chops.
- Bacon: Eight slices of your preferred bacon. We often use uncured, regular thickness bacon, but thick-cut bacon also works wonders, adding more flavor and texture. Just be aware that thicker bacon might require a slightly longer cooking time to crisp up.
- Brown Sugar: A touch of brown sugar for a delightful hint of sweetness in the rub. Sugar-free alternatives are perfectly fine if you’re managing sugar intake.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing the savory notes and bringing out the natural flavors of the pork and bacon.
- Garlic Salt: A key component of our beloved dry rub, providing a savory depth that pairs wonderfully with pork.
- Chili Powder: Adds a gentle warmth and earthy flavor. Adjust the amount to your liking – less for mild, more for a spicy kick.
- Paprika: Optional but highly recommended for its vibrant color and subtle, sweet pepper flavor that complements the other spices.
- Toothpicks: Absolutely vital for securing the bacon around the pork chops during cooking, ensuring it stays in place and crisps up evenly.
- Non-stick cooking spray: To prevent sticking and aid in browning.
Mastering the Art: How to Cook Bacon-Wrapped Pork Chops in Your Air Fryer
Time needed: 22 minutes (10 mins prep, 12 mins cook)
Achieve perfectly crispy and juicy Ninja Foodi Pork Chops with this easy recipe.
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Preheat Your Air Fryer
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Preheating is a crucial step that ensures the pork chops start cooking immediately upon entering the basket, leading to a perfectly crispy exterior and more even cooking.
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Prepare the Dry Rub & Pork Chops
In a small bowl, thoroughly mix all the dry rub ingredients: brown sugar, salt, garlic salt, chili powder, and paprika. Once combined, pour the rub onto a plate. Pat your pork chops dry with paper towels – this helps the seasoning adhere better and promotes crisping. Press each pork chop firmly into the dry rub, ensuring both sides are generously coated. This step infuses the meat with incredible flavor.
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Wrap with Bacon
Lay two slices of bacon horizontally on a clean surface or cutting board, slightly overlapping them if necessary. Place a seasoned pork chop on top of the bacon. Carefully wrap the bacon slices around the meatiest part of the pork chop, avoiding the bone if possible. Secure each bacon strip with one or two toothpicks, inserting them vertically into the chop. This prevents the bacon from unraveling during cooking and helps the chop lay flat in the air fryer basket for even crisping.
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Air Fry for Crispy Perfection
Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Carefully place the bacon-wrapped pork chops into the basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. This is vital for proper air circulation and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches. Close the lid and air fry for approximately 10-12 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process (around 5-6 minutes), carefully flip the pork chops with tongs to ensure both sides of the bacon and pork crisp evenly.
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Check Temperature & Rest
After cooking, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the pork chop (avoiding the bone). Pork is safely cooked when it reaches 145°F (63°C). Once done, remove the chops from the air fryer and allow them to rest on a cutting board for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chop. Remember to remove all toothpicks before serving!
Air Fryer Pork Chop Variations: From Unbreaded to Crispy Coated
While the bacon-wrapped, unbreaded method offers a fantastic low-carb meal, sometimes you crave that extra crispy breading. We’ve also perfected an option for breaded air fryer pork chops, utilizing chops from the same batch. These turn out just as delicious, with a golden, crunchy crust that’s incredibly satisfying. If you enjoy exploring different textures, this breaded version is a must-try!
Ingredients for Breaded Air Fryer Pork Chops
- 4 pork chops (can be from the same batch as your bacon-wrapped ones)
- 1 cup bread crumbs (or a mix of 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs + 1/3 cup crushed cornflakes for extra crunch)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- Olive oil spray
Directions for Breaded Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg to create an egg wash.
- In a separate shallow plate, combine the bread crumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix them well until evenly distributed.
- Dip each pork chop into the whisked egg, ensuring both sides are coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off.
- Immediately transfer the egg-coated pork chop to the bread crumb mixture. Press down gently to adhere the coating, then flip and repeat on the other side, ensuring a light but thorough breading.
- Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place the breaded pork chops inside in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap.
- Lightly spray the tops of the breaded pork chops with olive oil spray. This helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown crispness.
- Air fry for a total of 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chops. For thinner cuts, 10 minutes should suffice, while very thick pieces might need up to 15 minutes.
- Halfway through cooking (around 5-7 minutes), flip the pork chops and spray the other side with olive oil to promote even crisping.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 145°F (63°C). Allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving for maximum juiciness.
Pork chops are incredibly versatile! If you’re looking to explore even more cooking methods, you could try dutch oven pork chops for a hearty, slow-cooked meal. The possibilities are endless!
Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Pork Chops Recipe
Justine
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Equipment
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1 air fryer
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2 plates
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Meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops
- 8 strips bacon
- 1/2 c brown sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tbsp chili powder, makes it mild/medium heat
- 1/2 tbsp paprika
- 4-8 toothpicks
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
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Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) while you prepare the ingredients. In a small bowl, mix all seasonings thoroughly, then pour them onto a plate. Pat the pork chops dry, then lay each chop on the seasoning, flip, and press firmly to coat both sides.
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On a cutting board, lay two slices of bacon down horizontally. Place a seasoned pork chop on top. Wrap the top portion of the pork chop (the meaty end) with the bacon and secure it with two toothpicks inserted vertically. This ensures the bacon stays in place and the chop can lay flat in the air fryer.
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Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
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Carefully place the bacon-wrapped pork chops inside the basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd; ensure there is space around each chop for hot air to circulate. Depending on your air fryer size, you may only fit 2-3 chops at a time.
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Close the air fryer lid and cook for a total of 10-12 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your pork chops and your specific air fryer model. Flip the pork chops halfway through the cooking process (at about 5-6 minutes) to ensure even browning and crispiness on both sides.
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Remove the pork chops from the air fryer and immediately check their internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The thickest part should reach a safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Allow the chops to rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting into them. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful meal. Remember to remove all toothpicks before serving!
Video
A video demonstration for this recipe can be found on our blog post for a visual guide to perfect results.
Nutrition
Calories: 501kcal,
Carbohydrates: 28g,
Protein: 35g,
Fat: 27g,
Saturated Fat: 9g,
Cholesterol: 119mg,
Sodium: 3868mg,
Potassium: 662mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 27g,
Vitamin A: 730IU,
Calcium: 36mg,
Iron: 1.4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation. It may vary based on ingredients and preparation methods.
Additional Info
Beyond Bacon: Exploring More Pork Chop & Air Fryer Recipes
While these bacon-wrapped air fryer pork chops are a showstopper, the versatility of pork allows for countless culinary adventures. Don’t limit yourself to just one method! Here are a few other incredible pork chop and air fryer recipes you might enjoy exploring:
- Our Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops offer a hands-off approach, simmering to tender perfection with apples and a zesty ranch seasoning for an effortless meal.
- For a crowd-pleasing appetizer or sandwich filler, our Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Recipe delivers melt-in-your-mouth pork, ideal for sliders or tacos.
- If you’re looking for another lean and flavorful option, Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin cooks up incredibly tender and juicy, making it a healthy and quick dinner choice.
- Fans of sweet and savory will adore our Instant Pot Hawaiian Pulled Pork, a highly-rated recipe that brings a taste of the tropics to your table.
- For grilling enthusiasts, Smoked Pork Steaks offer a rich, smoky flavor that’s hard to beat.
- No pork chop dinner is complete without a delicious side! Serve any of these fantastic pork dishes with our crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts for a truly killer air fryer dinner!
This easy air fryer pork chop recipe is designed to be completed in under 30 minutes, delivering perfectly air-fried food that’s wonderfully crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. With just about 20 minutes of cooking time, you can have a mouth-watering meal that tastes gourmet but is incredibly simple. Bookmark this recipe or come back often – we love helping you create delicious dishes!
No, for the best results, it’s essential to cook food in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Hot air needs to circulate freely around all surfaces of the food to achieve that desired crispy texture. Stacking will lead to uneven cooking and less crispiness.
Yes, to ensure even crisping and cooking on all sides, it’s highly recommended to flip your meat, including pork chops, halfway through the cooking process. Use tongs to safely turn the chops without losing any of their delicious coating.
The most accurate way to determine doneness is by using an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the pork chop (avoiding the bone). Pork chops are safely cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Remember to allow them to rest for 5 minutes after cooking.
Regular or thin-cut bacon generally crisps up faster and more evenly around pork chops in the air fryer. Thick-cut bacon can be used but might require a minute or two longer to achieve desired crispiness. Uncured bacon is often preferred for its flavor.